Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation
-
Nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy administration are common and often overlooked causes of impairment in cancer patients. The goal of this study was to explore the broad range of consequences associated with this specific acute toxicity of chemotherapy. Specific objectives were: (1) create and test scales specifically designed to assess the impact of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting or patients' daily function; (2) examine changes in quality of life of cancer patients 3 days following chemotherapy administration; (3) assess the impact of chemotherapy-induced emesis on quality of life and patients' daily function; (4) identify medical and non-medical cost-related consequences associated with chemotherapy-induced emesis. ⋯ FLIE scores indicated that CIE patients perceived that vomiting, and to a slightly lesser extent, nausea substantively influenced their ability to complete household tasks, enjoy meals, spend time with family and friends, and maintain daily function and recreation. Effect size calculations supported a significant negative relationship between occurrence of CIE and the direction and magnitude of functional living index change. An exploratory analysis (principal component followed by regression analysis) supported the hypothesis that side-effects produced by chemotherapy and antiemetic therapy significantly contributed to changes in quality of life observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)